A Quick Chat With Debora Krizak

Adelaide born performer Debora Krizak has been touring with the Australian revival cast of A Chorus Line this year playing the role of Sheila – the sassy dancer who knows her mind, AND the audition choreography… when she is in the front of line, thank you very much.

After making her professional music theatre debut understudying Ulla in GFO’s The Producers, she has enjoyed a varied career in television, theatre and musicals across the country.

You’d never know that this stunning blonde is the mother of four year old twins, or that she one day sees herself working as a fertility counsellor; but as we discovered, there is certainly more to Debora than meets the eye…

We ask her our 20 Questions…

I knew it when I was in the front...
I knew it when I was in the front… Debora Krizak as Sheila in A Chorus Line

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child – a ballerina
As a teenager – an actress
As an adult – a forensic scientist.

I still don’t know what I want to be. I’m thinking of venturing back to Uni to study a post grad in Psych/Counselling. I’m always searching for new opportunities.

Who is the most important person in the world to you?
My beautiful family and friends.

I have four year old twins, Ayden & Kiana. It’s true what they say… I’d die for them.

What animal best represents you and why?
A sulphur crested cockatoo. Polly wanna cracker?

If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would you need to be on offer before you walked away?
100k. That would at least make a dent in the mortgage.

What was the first piece of theatre/film/TV you ever appeared in and how old were you?
Theatre: Oliver 11 y.o

Film: Napoleon 21 y.o

TV: my first tvc was at 19 for Lotteries Commission. I filmed two ads in two days. One featured my boobs, the other my legs. Nothing’s changed that much.. LOL

Windows or MAC?
Still windows. Yes behind I know.

Favourite food?
Loving Bok Choy and Soy at the moment. This wouldn’t be my usual answer but it has a lot to do with spending the best part of the year onstage in a transparent Beige leotard. Very cruel.

Who is the actor you would most like to work alongside?

Robin Williams.

What would be the first five songs you put a mix tape?
Don’t Stop Believing

In my daughters eyes

Evacuate the Dance Floor

Highway to Hell

Angels

Debora Krizak
Debora Krizak. Image by Amanda Buckworth

What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
We all know and support one another.

What’s the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
Pre casting, job security and a general lack of support for new work.

Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content.
There are a few I remember vividly.

Top of the list was the moment I held my new born twins in my arms for the first time after believing I’d never have the privilege of becoming a mother and yes, it’s a privilege.

Secondly, last week when I was hanging out my washing in the sunshine and feeling truly blessed and contented, not for any achievement or self-gratifying reason, but for feeling at peace for just “being”. What an overwhelming feeling!

Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
Dugi Otok, an island in Croatia where my husband’s family lived as villagers. Stunning history.

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Gene Simmons from KISS and The Queen when I was 5. I shook her hand.

Most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you onstage?
Too many to mention… But my first memory was of dragging a roll of toilet paper on stage behind me whilst singing Celine Dion’s “My heart will go on”. I also seem to fall over a lot. It’s a centre of gravity thing, ha!

What’s your life motto?
Live life without expectation. That way you can never be disappointed.

What’s your favourite post-show snack?
My favourite would be salty crisps and a chocolate bar but in reality, it’s a glass of wine and a rice cracker with hummus.

What’s your biggest phobia?
A wing falling off a plane.

What is the worst date you’ve ever had?
I met my husband 18 years ago and got married very young, so every date I had was with him! So I better keep my mouth shut ; )

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I still see overseas travel in my future. Most likely for work. But I’d also like to move back to my hometown of Adelaide at some stage and continue writing and working as an infertility counsellor.

Enter our competition to win tickets to the final Preview in Sydney!

A Chorus Line Sydney

Capitol Theatre
From 20 July

Tickets

A Chorus Line Perth

Burswood Theatre
From 20 October

Tickets

A Chorus Line Brisbane

QPAC Lyric Theatre
From 16 November

Tickets

Erin James

Erin James is AussieTheatre.com's former Editor in Chief and a performer on both stage and screen. Credits include My Fair Lady, South Pacific and The King and I (Opera Australia), Love Never Dies and Cats (Really Useful Group), Blood Brothers (Enda Markey Presents), A Place To Call Home (Foxtel/Channel 7) and the feature film The Little Death (written and directed by Josh Lawson).

Erin James

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